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Gujarat Lions vs Kings XI Punjab, IPL 2016, Match 28 at Rajkot, Preview: GL look to thrash KXIP

The Lions, who are right at the top of the table, look to execute an easy win over the Kings, who are at the bottom of the table currently.

The Lions, who are right at the top of the table, look to execute an easy win over the Kings, who are at the bottom of the table currently © AFP
The Lions, who are right at the top of the table, look to execute an easy win over the Kings, who are at the bottom of the table currently © AFP

It is Match No. 28 of the ninth season of Indian Premier League (IPL) as Gujarat Lions (GL) take on Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot. The Lions, who are right at the top of the table, look to execute an easy win over the Kings, who are at the bottom of the table currently. KXIP are currently going through a transformation as they will have their new captain, Murali Vijay, taking on the charges from the crucial match against GL itself. While GL are one of the most sorted sides, KXIP will find it hard to beat them with their current form. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Gujarat Lions vs Kings XI Punjab, IPL 2016 at Rajkot

KXIP’s journey so far in the series did not provide the followers with too many reasons to be happy. A team, with proclaimed names from around the world, has failed to put up any consistent and significant performance together as a team. The top guns in batting, Glenn Maxwell and David Miller have failed miserably, making the middle-order notably weak and letting options for opponents to get them out for cheap. However, the two openers, Murali Vijay and Manan Vohra have been the most consistent but no one was there there carry forward the momentum provided by the two Ms up in the order. The good news for the team is that two, Miller and Maxwell, are coming back to their natural form as it seemed from their previous match. But the performance was yet not up to the mark and enough to help them clinch a victory.

As far as their bowling is concerned, it is also dependent upon few names as the rest have failed to shine. Mohit Sharma has been the highest wicket-taker for them so far, but the bowler has lacked consistency. Sandeep Sharma is the other name who has maintained a good economy throughout and will be one whom the team will look up to.

Gujarat Lions, on the other hand, have looked unstoppable so far. The team has excelled in every department, mostly batting. The top-order of the Gujarat Lions team has names like Dwayne Smith, Brendon McCullum and the skipper Suresh Raina. With the three names, the top-order looks a nucleus where the momentum lies. Following them, come Dinesh Karthik, Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo which makes it even bigger a power for the bowlers to peer through.

The bowling department is led by Praveen Kumar and Dwayne Bravo while Dhawal Kulkarni has proved himself to be an important part of the team. Praveen Tambe and Ravindra Jadeja, the two spinners, complete the bowling attack.

Squads:

Gujarat Lions: Suresh Raina (c), Sarabjit Ladda, Akshadeep Nath, Amit Mishra, Dwayne Bravo, Paras Dogra, Eklavya Dwivedi, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Ishan Kishan, Ravindra jadeja, Shadab Jakati, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Shivil Kaushik, Dhaval Kulkarni, Praveen Kumar, Brandon McCullum, Pradeep Sangwan, Jaydev Shah, Umang Sharma, Dwayne Smith, Dale Styne, Pravin Tambe and Andrew Tye.

Kings XI Punjab: David Miller, Murli Vijay (c), Glenn Maxwell, Mitchel Johnson, Kyle Abott, Farhaan Behardien, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Mohit Sharma, Gurukeerat Maan sinh, Manan Vohra, Sandeep Sharma, Shaun Marsh, Axar Patel, Rishi Dhawan, Marcus Stoinis, Swapnil singh, Shardul Thakur, Anureet Singh, K C Carriappa, Nikhil Naik, Arman Jaffar, Pradeep Shahu.

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